Baku: Court hearings on the criminal case against citizens of the Republic of Armenia, including Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and others, continued at the Baku Military Court. These individuals are accused of committing crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, and numerous other offenses following Armenia’s military aggression, as reported by APA.
According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the hearings were presided over by Judge Zeynal Aghayev, with a panel including Jamal Ramazanov and Anar Rzayev. Each accused was provided with an interpreter and legal defense. Present were the accused, their defense attorneys, some victims, their legal representatives, and public prosecutors.
The hearings included the questioning of accused Davit Babayan, who answered questions regarding his association with Bako Sahakyan. Another accused, Davit Manukyan, a Major General in the Armenian Armed Forces, denied knowledge of certain military movements but acknowledged the leadership roles of individuals like Jirayr Sefilyan.
Questions were directed at other accused individuals about illegal armed formations and the criminal ideology of a ‘Great Armenia.’ David Manukyan admitted the lack of regulatory acts governing military groups in Karabakh in 1992.
Levon Mnatsakanyan and Melikset Pashayan provided testimonies about their involvement in past military actions and political rallies. Madat Babayan admitted to being part of an armed group and detailed the origins of their weapons.
Arkady Ghukasyan revealed insights into the administrative and financial workings of the self-styled regime, noting Armenia’s role in forming its budget and the use of Armenian drams. He also admitted to illegal settlements during his governance and the award of high military ranks by Armenia.
Prosecutors continued to examine documents related to the forcible seizure of power, with the next hearing scheduled for March 14. The case involves 15 Armenian nationals charged with crimes under various articles of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code, including war aggression, genocide, and terrorism, linked to the conflict with Azerbaijan.